Personality in Focus
Lola Ade John: From Tape Cutting to a Walk for Tourism
By Frank Meke
Tourism Minister, Mrs lola Ade John, will embark on a physical endurance test tomorrow, Thursday, September 26th, and, on Friday, 27th, in a fanciful show of force for Nigeria tourism. Lola Ade John will lead her team to cut open the ceremonial tapes at the Abuja Radio House where the ministry and its troupe of jesters would celebrate World Tourism Day.
The World Tourism Day is celebrated annually on the 27th of September, by all members States of United Nations Tourism (UN Tourism), formerly known as the United Nations World Tourism Organisation ( unwto) with a special theme, focal to either addressing global tourism issues or highlighting its famed interventionist values and gains to economies and peoples all over the world.
This year’s theme, “Tourism and Peace”, takes a deeper insight into how the industry adjudged the largest employer of labour, helps to enthrone peaceful coexistence among nations through strategic understanding of cultural tourism diversity and values inherent in preserving people’s heritage competitiveness, powering job creation and revenue generation to develop a sustainable rural economy.
In a news report by Daily Telegraph paper, the Nigerian agenda to celebrate the day, which was forwarded to me, the reporter cheekily “mocked” lola Ade John Walk for tourism as a ” new dimension,” leaving readers with options to draw their conclusions on the Walk through the city of Abuja, which was not intentioned to call for a change to the bitter but avoidable communial clashes across the country with our most border communities going to battle over land related issues or over other mundane dislocations. Auntie lola walk is not also reported to help address the near total collapse of our once secured environment by marauding kidnappers and haters of Nigerian peace.
The minister’s new wtd Walk therefore calls for a serious interrogation to what actually it’s meant to achieve since she not either flying a kite to draw attention to the possibility of a national reorientation to having a peaceful engagement by Nigeria’s diverse cultures and peoples to show temperance in any possible sociopolitical issues that may bred dislocations neither is her cat walk on the well paved Abuja roads is to go host at the Abuja city gate a creatively designed Nigerian flag that could excite the history books of the
Guinness World Record with a thoughtful message, calling on Nigerians to live in peace for the sake of cultural tourism promotion and national development.
Anyway, since the minister and her wtd planning committee are strangers to the many socioeconomic dislocations in the country, which in itself provokes a breached environment, her choice to approve and lead such adventure walk for mere test of physical health fitness, is worrisome because she did not tell us if there would be oversight by medical paramedics and ambulances in case any participant starts breathing hard for fresh air.
Knowing fully well that our government people only think about their pockets and not their health, that lola Ade John organised walk may lead to another avoidable national emergency, which may again force out our caring president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to leave his busy table on hospitals round visits to sympathise with those who should just simply in the first place gather at Apo Hills for a breath of fresh air and healthy drinks to celebrate World Tourism Day, instead of trying to show us a new dimension to how not draw attention to a failed tourism ministry.
My friend and brother in the pen business, Okorie Uguru of African Herald Magazine, called me up this morning to remind me that Nigeria ought to be celebrating 25 years of tourism but poisoned his intervention by equally reminding me( us) to list what gains we had made over those two decades and half.
I won’t write all he angrily vomited, particularly about those unelected but selected to confuse and confound our cultural tourism narratives.
So,by tomorrow and Friday, we shall stay in various corners to watch madam lola Ade John and her new Olympic hopefuls in a national tourism walk to which intent is just be seen to ” show off skirt and sport boots in the name of tourism.
The radio house talk show, I am very sure, will be the same banal meetings on Friday, to which we have seen her sustain for the past few months. Now that she is so fit to walk from the city gate to the radio house, and if you know Abuja very well, that is indeed a distance that must require both police , road safety, and national emergency services .
To walk such a distance by our lovely and beautiful minister who is just coming out of health issues scares me to no end, and I kind of wonder why her aides want her to take such a risk.
Maybe the Madam tourism UK based medical team has given her the nod to participate, but I will suggest she just go straight to the radio house, cut the tape to declare the tourism talk show open, present a nice paper with no commitment to anything serious to either on attention to the security agencies to wake up and secure Nigeria or simply dance to the drummings of her cultural troupe of tourism jesters, share drinks and say bye to another meaningless gathering for the sake of tourism and peace!.
The Lagos State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has extended its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Ayo Ogunsan on his well-deserved appointment as the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).
In a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the command noted that “Dr. Ogunsan’s appointment is a clear testimony to the unwavering trust and confidence that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has in him.”
Reminiscing Ogunsan’s trajectory in the world of administration and security, the statement stressed that “Over the years, Dr. Ogunsan has demonstrated exceptional selflessness and commitment to strengthening the security architecture of Lagos State.”
The Command further noted as follows:
“The Commissioner of Police is confident that Dr. Ogunsan, as a distinguished member of the LSSTF Board, will assume this new role with deep institutional knowledge, proven integrity, and unwavering dedication, coupled with a strategic understanding of the security needs of Lagos State. The Command has no doubt that he will deliver on his mandate successfully.
“Dr. Ogunsan’s continued valuable contributions to the LSSTF and his longstanding partnership with security agencies across the State have positioned him exceptionally well to steer the Fund towards greater operational efficiency, an outcome that will undoubtedly enhance public safety and security throughout Lagos State.
“The Lagos State Police Command once again warmly welcomes his appointment with deep optimism and hereby assures the new Executive Secretary of its unwavering partnership and cooperation. The Command is proud of him and immensely happy to be associated with him.
“The Lagos State Police Command looks forward to further strengthening the existing synergy, support, and operational collaboration with Dr. Ayo Ogunsan and the LSSTF team in ensuring the continued safety and protection of all residents and visitors in Lagos State.”
Prior to his appointment, Ogunsan was a Board Member of the Trust Fund.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of some senior officers to top strategic command and positions, aimed to strengthen command structures and reposition the Nigerian Army for heightened operational effectiveness.
According to a statement by Army’s spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Apollonian Anele, on Thursday, the appointment cut across key command, staff and instructional positions across formations, units and training institutions of the Army.
Among the new appointees are: Major General Bamidele Alabi, who has been redeployed to Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans and appointed Chief of Policy and Plans (Army); Major General Jamal Abdulsalam, formerly Chief of Special Services and Programmes at Army Headquarters proceeds to Defence Headquarters Department of Operations as Chief of Defence Operations while Major General Peter Mala moves from Office of the National Security Adviser to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC) as Commander.
Major General Samson Jiya, from Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) moves to Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Accounts and Budget as Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget.
Other strategic appointments include, Major General Mayirenso Saraso from NAHFC to Army Headquarters Department of Operations as Chief of Operations (Army); Major General Isa Abdullahi from Defence Headquarters to Army Headquarters Department of Administration as Chief of Administration (Army); Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi from Army Headquarters to Department of Training to Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs as Chief of Civil-Military Affairs. Major General Abubakar Haruna from NAHFC to Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) Kontagora as Commander and Major General Philip Ilodibia from Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans to Defence Space Administration as Chief of Defence Space Administration.
Others are: Major General Godwin Mutkut, from Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) N’Djamena to Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre as Corps Commander Infantry, Major General Umar Abubakar from the Ministry of Defence to Headquarters Nigerian Army Armour Corps as Commander Armour Corps, Major General John Adeyemo moves from Nigerian Army School of Artillery (NASA) to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery as Corps Commander Artillery and Major General Mohammed Abdullahi from Nigerian Army Cyberwarfare Command to Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals as Corps Commander Signals.
Also, Major General Taofik Sidick has been redeployed from the NAHFC to Headquarters Nigerian Army Finance Corps as Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), Major General Abdullahi Ibrahim from NAHFC to Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps as Corps Commander Ordnance, Major General Adeyinka Adereti from Defence Headquarters to Headquarters Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as Corps Commander, Major General Nansak Shagaya from Army Headquarters Department of Operations to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport as Corps Commander Supply and Transport while Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed has been appointed acting Corps Commander Education.
The COAS also approved the appointment of Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, from Headquarters 82 Division/ Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna and appointed Commandant, Major General Emmanuel Mustapha from Defence Space Administration to Nigerian Army Signal School as Commandant, Major General Adamu Hassan from Nigerian Defence Section, Riyadh, to Nigerian Army School of Artillery as Commandant and Brigadier General John Bulus from Headquarters Nigerian Army Finance Corps to Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts as Commandant.
According to the statement, the senior officers appointed as field commanders includes, Major General Saidu Audu from Army Headquarters Department of Training to Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena, as Force Commander, Major General Warrah Idris from Defence Headquarters to Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA as Commander and Major General Oluremi Fadairo from Army Headquarters Department of Civil Military Affairs to 82 Division Nigerian Army, Enugu as General Officer Commanding and Commander Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA.
Other appointees are Major General Olatokumbo Bello as the Director Defence Media Operations at Defence Headquarters while Brigadier General Samaila Uba was redeployed from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji to Defence Headquarters as Director Defence Information.
The CIAS charged the new appointees to bring to bear their wealth of operational experience, administrative acumen and strategic foresight in driving a disciplined and combat-ready Army to decisively confront the contemporary and emerging security challenges.
He urged them to sustain the current operational momentum, strengthen interagency collaboration and remain unwavering in upholding the Nigerian Army’s core ethos of loyalty, selfless service, integrity and excellence.
Former Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has bagged the award of Pillar of Nigerian Culture and Tourism.
The award was conferred on him by the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET), the umbrella body for Nigerian travel press, on Thursday, October 23 at a colourful ceremony held at the prestigious Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers.
He was among some distinguished Nigerians from public and private sectors, including the former Nigerian Minister of Tourism and Culture, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu, who were honoured for their contributions to the growth and development of Nigerian tourism.
Other distinguished Nigerians conferred with awards were: Otunba Wanle Akinboboye (Foremost National Tourism Builder and Creative Mind), Mr. Jemi Alade (National Trailblazer in Inbound Tour Operation) Engineer Tarzan Ganiyu Shekoni Balogun (National Icon in Tourist Boat Operations and Water Transportation), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung (Icon of Consistency and Resilience in National Tourism Leadership), and Chief Abimbola Bode-Thomas (Hospitality and Tourism Management Amazon).
Speaking on the award conferred on Runsewe and the other awardees, the President of ANJET Mr. Okorie Uguru said the awards aim to promote the culture of service to the people, and also showing appreciation to those who have served the nation with distinction while holding public office.
He said: “It is not about celebrating those who are serving the country now, but showing appreciation to those who have served in the past, to challenge current political office holders to put in their best.
“The individuals and distinguished Nigerians we are honouring are among the people that built the visibility and growth the tourism industry is enjoying today… They have contributed, and are still contributing to the sector.
“As holders of institutional memories and archivists of this industry, we know the roles they have played and are still playing in the development of the Nigerian tourism industry. That is why years after some of our awardees have left public offices, we still call them to bestow this honours.”
While receiving the award, Runsewe lamented the inability of Nigeria to take tourism seriously. He said: “I stopped talking for some time because there are too many talks in tourism, there is no action. We come; we speak big English and go back. Today, I am going to reveal two or three things. The last time I came out was to speak to the new executives of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN). For me, I am almost tired of talking, because there is no action.
“Let me first of all thank Ambassador Ogbuewu today. He said he does not want to come, so I urged him to come. It is only the living that can be celebrated. Let us thank God that during our lifetime, we are being celebrated. It is not everybody that has that opportunity.
“I can stand anywhere and talk about this industry. I do not need a book.
“Ambassador Ogbuewu you would recollect that President Obasanjo took your very good self, led a delegation to Trinidad and Tobago. That was the day Obasanjo made a statement, he said ‘I going to stand on the existing protocol’. That was the first time they heard that English. The then president of Trinidad asked, ‘what is he talking about.’ That is a tourism brand.
“People do not understand tourism yet. People think it is only about moving from one place to the other. No. Let me reveal a few things: how many of us know the late Pastor T.B. Joshua. T.B. Joshua was selling religious tourism and nobody keyed into it? When T. B. Joshua was having his conference in Nigeria, there were over 20 private jets parked at the airport. I, maybe you did not know before today, I normally go to the airport to list how many countries they come from. I have my data. There is religious tourism in Nigeria. We have not tapped into it. We see them as pastors. Yes, pastors doing their job, but there is tourism content in what they are doing.
“If this country manages tourism well, we should not have a single child looking for a job. After agriculture, tourism is the biggest employer of labour, but we are still playing games, we are still telling ourselves stories.”
He thanked ANJET for the award and encouraged them to continue with the good work in the industry.
